Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has strongly reacted to the alleged attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district. Calling the incident alarming, he said it reflects a worrying situation for democracy in the country.
Abhishek Banerjee was reportedly manhandled by a section of the crowd while visiting families affected by post-poll violence. He later complained of pain in his neck and back and was taken to a private hospital in Kolkata, where doctors confirmed that his injuries were superficial and not serious. He was kept under observation for a short time before being shifted out of intensive care monitoring.
Reacting sharply, Aaditya Thackeray said the incident sends a “serious message” about the state of democratic functioning in India. He alleged that repeated attacks and intimidation of opposition leaders during public visits indicate a shrinking democratic space. His remarks added to the growing political controversy surrounding the incident.
“The attack on an elected Member of Parliament shows how fragile democratic norms have become,” he said, urging stronger protection for public representatives regardless of political affiliation. He also called for accountability over security arrangements during such visits.
The TMC has also raised concerns, with party leaders questioning security lapses and alleging that the situation could have been avoided with better planning. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reportedly sought explanations over both the security deployment and the initial medical response.
Hospital authorities, however, have maintained that Abhishek Banerjee’s condition remained stable throughout treatment and that there were no serious injuries. Medical examinations confirmed only minor bruises, and he was discharged from close observation after routine care.
Opposition parties have denied any involvement in the incident, while police have launched an inquiry to determine how the situation escalated. Officials are examining eyewitness accounts and security protocols followed during the visit.
The episode has intensified political tensions in West Bengal and beyond, with leaders from multiple parties weighing in and framing the incident within broader concerns about political violence and democratic conduct in the country.
